Opinions on Pioneer HUs

[bbates]

Any opinions good or bad on Pioneer HUs? I'm looking to replace my factory HU and the guy at Circuit City told me that certain Pioneers were the only ones they carried that allowed the steering wheel controls to be directly wired into the HU (rather than having to get the radio control interface which funtions like a remote control and needs a line of sight).

I was originally looking at Alpines but I'd need to get the "line of sight" steering wheel controls, plus it sounds like you lose the display on Alpines in bright sun and you don't get as many EQ settings as on the Pioneer.

 

[Vortec4800]

I had an 8400MP back in the day, that thing was an awesome head unit. I also had a nice Alpine (I forget what model number). They're both great units, I would imagine a high end Alpine and a high end Pioneer would be about the same performance wise. I used an external EQ with my Alpine so I don't really know how that works. Just go with whichever you like the looks of better and which fits your budget better.

 

[lildevil23]

I thought one would lose their steering control once they removed the stock HU..one of the main reasons i'm not changing mine..

 

[Vortec4800]

I thought one would lose their steering control once they removed the stock HU..one of the main reasons i'm not changing mine..

That is correct. The only way to keep the controls is to use an OEM interface unit, which usually only works moderately at best.

 

[bbates]

I just talked to somebody at Soundgate (www.soundgate.com). Apparently they make an interface that allows the steering wheel controls to be hardwired direclty into the back of 04 Pioneer HUs.

Another option is an SWI-X IR steering wheel control from PAC Audio (www.pac-audio.com) - they can be hardwired into certain Alpine HUs but unfortunately they're only the higher end ($1000+) models.

 

[Vortec4800]

I just talked to somebody at Soundgate (www.soundgate.com). Apparently they make an interface that allows the steering wheel controls to be hardwired direclty into the back of 04 Pioneer HUs.

I looked and it seems they only make those for GM, Ford and Chrysler?

Another option is an SWI-X IR steering wheel control from PAC Audio (www.pac-audio.com) - they can be hardwired into certain Alpine HUs but unfortunately they're only the higher end ($1000+) models.

This is the one that uses a little IR port as a remote control to your HU. Not a big fan of these, they don't work all that great unless they can be hardwired in, and I've never seen a way to do that.

 

[bbates]

Hmmm...well, I told the tech at Soundgate that I had a 4Runner and he didn't tell me that wouldn't work - I suppose I should call back and clarify. Then again, I'm leaning towards an Alpine these days (because of the forthcoming Ipod hookup) so for me it's a moot point.

I talked to a few installers about the IR steering wheel controls - they both told me that it's all in the install...if you install them properly they should work fine. I sure hope they're right cause if I get the Alpine and the steering wheel controls don't work right my wife is going to kill me.

 

[Vortec4800]

Well even when the work correctly, they only work as good as the remote. So when you push the volume, theres usually a little bit of lag, and you have to hold it a bit to get it to work and then it goes a little after you let it off. It works well for things like track skip, mute, but for volume its hard because you need to be precise with that. If you just want to turn it down or up then its alright, but if you want it up two clicks or something like that, good luck.

If you find a way to hardwire it, post it here. Would work much, much better that way.